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Gov. Tim Pawlenty's decision today to enter the race reflects the reality that he cannot afford to wait any longer. Unlike Govs. Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin, Pawlenty is still largely unknown. He needs time to build the name recognition they already enjoy. If the GOP primaries were a late-starting sprint, Pawlenty would lose. That is why his strategy is to make this race a marathon.

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